Bike path bridge destroyed in Piqua

PIQUA, Ohio (WDTN) - By Will E. Sanders

The bike path bridge over the Great Miami River will be closed for the foreseeable future after a stubborn Tuesday afternoon blaze heavily damaged a 150-foot section of the bridge.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of the fire at approximately 2:00 p.m. and had to connect more than 350 feet of water line to battle the fire, which was finally brought under control after about an hour, though continued to smolder long afterward.

Firefighters remain uncertain about what caused the fire to break out, but past incidents of the bridge catching fire were caused by discarded cigarettes, firefighters at the scene said.

“We don’t know what started it,” said Piqua Fire Chief Mike Rindler, who encouraged anyone with information about the fire to contact the fire department at 778-2013. “We don’t know anything (about the cause) at this time.”

Rindler said a preliminary damage estimate had not been figured late Tuesday afternoon, but he called the damage significant.

“It was significant enough that, in my opinion, it (the bike path) will be closed for a awhile,” Rindler said.

Firefighters on the scene said a combination of dry conditions mixed with the wind made the blaze especially difficult to combat.

“Because of the wind the damage was very significant,” said Piqua Fire Capt John Kendall.

Covington Fire Department responded with a truck to lay a blanket of foam on the burned portion of the bridge to attempt to reduce the possibility of a re-kindle.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire.

Firefighters continued to monitor the bridge as they checked for hot spots Tuesday evening and presumably overnight Wednesday.